NEWSLETTER 208 MARCH 2021 SGAP revisits Golf Course

Don Lawie

Our first excursion for the new year was a return to the green field of Babinda Golf Club. The height of the wet season was upon us and we looked for a site that was botanically interesting and had shelter in case of rain. Babinda, ’s wettest town, is well set up for rainy days and we were welcomed by Golf Club members Peter and Patsy who are also SGAP members. On our visit in [Editors note: uncountable years ago] we had to to dodge the golfers as they played a round but today the god of rain had performed an apotropaic release flowing drains. The fairways are timber and suffering from an from their sysiphean task and we had delineated by rows of single , attack of myrtle rust. A notable the course to ourselves. About fifteen almost all of which are species native specimen, not native to the Babinda of us enjoyed a leisurely lunch and a to the area, supplied by native area, was possibly Austromullera valida, discussion of on the specimen enthusiasts including Nigel Tucker and from the high country of Mt Lewis, table. Stuart displayed a magnificent Rob Jago. They were planted about home of many rarities. metre long stem of robur with thirty years ago and are a lesson in two large inflorescences, a small piece how rainforest trees will grow when of - bearing Finger Lime and a not associated with the close growth flowering Brachychiton vitifolius stem of their natural habitat. Sizes were from the dry country to our North. A fairly uniform with heights of about 5 cutting of Matchbox Bean Entada metres, trunks 30 to 50 centimetres phaseoloides gave no indication that it and a spread of up to 10 metres. could grow to an immense size, and an early inflorescence of Some notable species included the Roaring Meg (now Hollandaea riparia) so-called Daintree Penda showed the beauty that is ever present Lindsayomyrtus racemoides (which Cattleya, placed by Bob Giddins in a golf in our Wet Tropics forests. grows naturally at Harvey Creek, along with other rare species) which was course bottlebrush. We set off for a stroll around the dropping numerous small round fruit, course. It was formerly a cane farm Ristantia pachysperma, Sour Hardwood The beautiful Babinda Golf Course is constructed on marshy land – as NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH– 2021restricted to a small area of the Wet maintained by active volunteer Page 1 evidenced by the numerous large Tropics and an important hardwood members; it is unfair to name just one but Bob Giddins, son of Bob of Dendrobium nindii, a species paid a price of hundreds of Green Giddins Senior, a noted that in nature is restricted to the Tree Ants which toppled on us orchidologist in his day, has made rivers of Johnstone, Russell and from the branches and bit and an indelible mark on the course. Mulgrave in the super-wet held on until removed. Only the Almost every tree of any size tropics. At least half a dozen most stoic of photographer can carries, like a triumphal crown, at pseudobulbs of up to 3 or 4 take an unshakey picture in such least one orchid. Some are metres in length proudly circumstances. tropical exotics that Bob has displayed heads of gorgeous lilac It was inevitable – a short rain chosen or their affinity to our flowers in a show of nature rarely shower chased all but the most climate but many are local seen outside the natural habitat. dedicated of us back to the natives that thrive in their new Nature is protective of her verandah for a last cuppa and habitat. Pride of them all is a wonders: in return for the chat before heading for home. magnificent flowering specimen welcome shade of the trees we

This unremarkable-looking water weed is Eleocharis retroflexa, a State-listed Vulnerable species found only in a few lowland waterways to the north and south of . It seems this species needs sun and clean water to survive. Species list, compiled by Rob Jago and Stuart Worboys * indicates a non-native species.

Species Common Name FAMILY ANACARDIACEAE * Mangifera indica Mango APOCYNACEAE Cerbera floribunda Cassowary Plum ARALIACEAE Heptapleurum actinophyllum Umbrella Tree ARALIACEAE Hydrocotyle oraria ASTERACEAE * Emilia sonchifolia Purple Emily CLUSIACEAE Calophyllum inophyllum Beauty Leaf EUPHORBIACEAE Macaranga polyadenia EUPHORBIACEAE Macaranga tanarius FABACEAE Aeschynomene indica Budda Pea FABACEAE * Inga Ice Cream Bean FABACEAE Macroptilium lathyroides FABACEAE Millettia pinnata var. pinnata LAMIACEAE * Tectona grandis Teak LINDERNIACEAE Bonnaya antipoda

NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH 2021 Page 2 LINDERNIACEAE Torenia crustacea LORANTHACEAE Amyema conspicua subsp. conspicua Mistletoe LORANTHACEAE Dendrophthoe MELASTOMATACEAE * Tristemma mauritiana MELIACEAE Dysoxylum gaudichaudianum Ivory Mahogany MELIACEAE Toona ciliata Red Cedar MORACEAE Ficus virgata * brasiliensis Grumichama MYRTACEAE Lindsayomyrtus racemoides MYRTACEAE Melaleuca leucadendra Weeping Paperbark MYRTACEAE * Psidium guajava Guava MYRTACEAE Ristantia pachysperma MYRTACEAE angophoroides Yarrabah Satinash MYRTACEAE Syzygium bamagense Satinash MYRTACEAE Syzygium forte subsp. forte White Apple MYRTACEAE Syzygium hemilamprum MYRTACEAE Syzygium tierneyanum River Cherry MYRTACEAE chrysanthus Golden Penda OLEACEAE * Fraxinus uhdei Tropical Ash ONAGRACEAE Ludwigia hyssopifolia ONAGRACEAE Ludwigia octovalvis PHYLLANTHACEAE Glochidion sumatranum PLANTAGINACEAE Limnophila aromatica baileyana PROTEACEAE nortoniana PROTEACEAE integrifolia Macadamia PROTEACEAE kevedianus Fishtail Silky Oak RHIZOPHORACEAE Carallia brachiata Carallia SALICACEAE Scolopia braunii VITACEAE Leea novoguineense Bandicoot Berry Monocots ARACEAE * Syngonium Arrowhead Vine ARECACEAE Archontophoenix alexandrae Alexandra Palm ARECACEAE * Cyrtostachys renda Lipstick Palm CYPERACEAE Eleocharis retroflexa HELICONIACEAE * Heliconia psittacorum ORCHIDACEAE Dendrobium discolor Golden Orchid ORCHIDACEAE Dendrobium nindii PONTEDERIACEAE Monochoria vaginalis Ferns BLECHNACEAE Stenochlaena palustris Climbing Swamp Fern POLYPODIACEAE Drynaria rigidula Basket Fern POLYPODIACEAE Playtcerium hillii POLYPODIACEAE Pyrrosia longifolia Felt Fern OPHIOGLOSSACEAE Ophioderma pendula

Name change A recent paper published in the prestigious American journal, Novon, has argued convincingly for the umbrella tree , Schefflera, to be split. The genus, previously known as a pan-tropical group comprising 600-800 species, is now only recognised in the Americas, whilst all Australian species have been transferred to the un-euphoniously named Heptapleurum. Our Australian species are now correctly known as H. actinophyllum, H. bractescens, and H. ellipticum,

NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH 2021 Page 3 Don and Pauline pose with an enormous ant-infested Blue Antler Orchid, the find of the day. White Mountains National Park

Tina Marton

Late September last year I had the pleasure of visiting North-Western on a whirlwind trip with family. After hearing of botanical nirvana within White Mountains National Park and the timing of my passing meaning there was a chance of seeing wildflowers, a visit was set into the agenda.

In preparation for the trip I sought out literature which led me to contact the marvellous Keith Townsend to purchase one of his identification books. It was a pleasure to meet Keith in Townsville and to purchase another of his books to add to my collection. Much to my delight, while discussing what to anticipate at White Mountains, Keith quietly drew a map with key highlights. It proved very handy. Once we reached White Mountains National Park and had our obligatory cup of tea and facility use at the roadside rest stop, we left the highway and ventured into the park. While I was warned our visit was very late in the season, and that the wildflowers were not great even at their peak this year due to the dry conditions, I was delighted with the blooms. The magenta flowers of Calytrix microcoma splashed the countryside with accents of bright yellow flowering falcata. Sparsely dotted amongst this were specimens of Lysicarpus angustifolius (thanks also to Keith for assistance in identifying this).

Driving along the set tracks it became evident that there was a fascinating array of different plant assemblages that changed frequently throughout the National Park. The geology and landform of the area made for some captivating landscapes too. Following Keith’s hand drawn map further into the park we arrived at a high point of the area. The vista over the rugged

NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH 2021 Page 4 landforms even without wildflowers in bloom could only be described as spectacular. The photo below does not do it justice.

The geology of the region played a large part in this. Layers of pebble conglomerate were predominantly white due to the heavy percentage of quartz and sericite material. The pebbles that cover patches of the park are rounded from being washed in an ancient riverbed or ocean estuary. As the landscape weathers they are slowly released once again. On our return from the lookout tracing our way back to the park exit we noticed a beautiful Black Orchid (Cymbidium sp.) in bloom. While our stop at White Mountains lasted only hours, it captivated my travellers and I. We tasted a little of what others had enthused about. Perhaps if conditions allow SGAP Cairns may be able to consider a field trip out this way in 2021. Better still would be to combine with the Townsville Branch. If so, count me in!

Lysicarpus angustifolius

Vista over the rugged White Mountains.

NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH 2021 Page 5 Exploring the upland rainforest with Tablelands SGAP, November 2020

Don Lawie

We had a multi-activity day with twig orchids on the shrubs near the Kauri Pines Agathis atropurpurea , our friends in Tablelands SGAP, Crater but it seemed that erosion tall columnar trees with a diameter meeting at the Hypipamee Crater had washed most away leaving just of about 60 centimetres. The Carpark. Excursions Officer Peter one little Tangle Orchid Plectorrhiza species name means “very dark Radke briefed us on the day and tridentata to re-occupy the area. purple” and the genus Agathis is mentioned that an early morning Other orchids noted were a large Greek for “a ball of string”, recce had revealed a fallen tree Cymbidium madidum in mass flower apparently a reference to the that blocked the proposed track, – blooming late in the season with 'flowers'. Their timber, as with all entailing a long uphill slog. A group its orange-yellow flowers redolent members of the family member spoke up “I live not far with seductive perfume – several Araucariaceae, works well and is away, I’ll get my chain saw and Dendrobium agrostophyllum were quite valuable. The Purple Kauri is clear the track.” And He Did! sighted, growing contentedly at the noted for its fruit which is pale altitude of about 900 metres – they green and the size of a cricket ball. In the meantime we did the are an upland plant. By contrast the related Bunya Pine Crater Walk,always interesting and Araucaria bidwlli has fruit the size sort of an Uplands version of the Back to the carpark for lunch, of a soccer ball. Purple Kauri was Track. The early chats and discussion about a tree named by Bernie Hyland as part of the walk features a non- preparing to burst into flower – it recently as 1978; it occurs naturally botanical but interesting item: an was identified, with the help of on granite ridge lines from Mount hydraulic ram, pumping away 24/7 Cooper’s book, as Northern Pieter Botte to Mount Bartle Frere to supply water to the amenities Sassafras Doryphora aromatica . from 750 to 1500metres altitude. block. These rams are marvels of efficiency and endurance – I have A last thrill of the day occurred as admired this one (or its we were preparing to depart; predecessors) for at least 50 years. somebody found a bower of the Tooth Billed Cat/Bower Bird. This bird harvests, with his sharp bill, selected leaves of the Brown Bollywood Tree Neolitsea dealbata and arranges them on a piece of cleared forest floor in what he Cone of Agathis atropurpurea decides is a pattern seductive to a prospective mate. He then mounts Then to the adventure: we ground a perch and sings the songs of uphill past the neatly stacked every bird of the forest. We were "The Crater" at Mt Hypipamee pieces of fallen tree until Peter priviliged to find three of these called a halt. Here were long lines bowers and we left quietly for the The Crater itself is a great hole in of collapsed trenches and weapon competing birds to resume their the stony earth, blown out by the pits – relics of World War Two concert. It was an enrichng end to a presssure of superheated steam, where our Diggers trained for the day of making memories. an awe inspiring reminder of the real thing n New Guinea and power of Nature. There has Bougainville. Growing beside the previously been a rich ore of small trenches were numerous Purple

NEWSLETTER 208, MARCH 2021 Page 6 Upcoming events...

Cairns Tablelands Townsville Sunday 21 March. Annual Wednesday 24 March. 7:30 pm, Wednesday 10 March. Annual General Meeting, 12 noon, 71 Tolga CWA Hall. Excursions the General Meeting, 7 p.m. Archibald Street, Edmonton. Matt following Sunday. Oonoonba Community Hall McIntosh's home. (Shannon Street Oonoonba). Sunday 28 March. Wolfram Matt advises "there isn't a lot of Camp. Meet at Dimbulah Council Sunday 15 March. Excursion to room for parking out front. Park (with toilets) at 9:30 a.m. the Palmetum. Meet at main Therefore, if possible, people entrance at 9 a.m. Excursion officer: Peter Radke, should car pool. " Otherwise, park 0418 719 748. on an adjoining street and walk. Please bring something to throw on the barbecue, and a plate to share.

SGAP Cairns Branch 2020-2021 Committee

President: Tony Roberts Vice-President: Don Lawie Secretary: Matt McIntosh ([email protected]) Treasurer: Val Carnie Webmaster: Tony Roberts Newsletter Editor: Stuart Worboys ([email protected]

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